Folder for sewing-machines.



1. R. MoFFATT. FOLDER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.22, 1906.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

IIT In I. R. MOFFATT. lFOLDERFOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1906. 1,135,708 Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor flttoumg,

with una mur/M W,

1HE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHOY. WASHINGTON. D. c..

srarns JAMES R. IVIOFFATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, VASSIGrNOIEt TO UNION SPECIAL MACHINE YGOIVIIIEANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

FOLDER FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Application iled December 22, 1906. Serial No. 349,0G1.

Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Folders for Sewingll/Iachines, of which the following is a description, reference Vbeing had to the accompanying drawing and to the lettersy and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to folders for fabrics, and while said folder may be useful for various purposes, the same is more especially adapted for folding a collaret, so that the same is properly delivered to the stitching mechanism of a sewing Vmachine, whereby said folded collaret is attached to a body fabric( .i

The object of my invention is to provide a folder of the above-indicated character,with a tension member bearing upon thefolded e edge of the strip passing through my folder,

whereby the delivery of this folded strip to the stitching mechanism is so controlled that the edge is laid smoothly upon the body fabric, and a curved neck produced.

A further object. of my invention is to provide the. folder with a supplemental member, which places a yielding tension upon the strip at its middle fold, and which is also adjustableso that the size ofthe fold may be slightly adjusted.

'Ihese and other objects willv in part be obvious and in part be more fully hereinafter described.

My invention consists in the novel parts and arrangements hereinafter shown and described. y

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the bed plate of a sewing machine with my improved folder attached thereto, the presser bar and Y the overhanging arm being shown in section; Fig. 2 is an elevation of my improved folder, as seen from the rear when Vviewed Ain Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the folder; Fig. t is an end elevation of the delivery end of the folder; Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of the auxiliary tension'member located within the folder; Fig. 6 is a detail view, showing the manner of folding and turning the binding strip, so as toV properly position the same for attachment to the body fabric; and Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of my thread-guiding arms, andthe means for supporting the same. Y

`'Ihe bed plate 1 is of the usual construction, and has cooperating therewith a'presser foot 2, carried by a presser bar 3, as shown 1n section in Fig. 1. The feeding member 4E, the needles 5, 5, and the looper rod 6, are of the usual construction, and will not need further description.

A thread-carrying looper preferably cooperates with the needles 5, 5, beneath the work plate, forming a cross stitch, but it will be obvious that any other form of complemental stitch-forming mechanism may be used in connection with the said needles.

The bed plate 1 is slotted as at 7 to receive my improved folder, so that when said folder is attached to the bed plate, a portion thereof extends beneath the surface of the bed plate, which facilitates the positioning of the folded strip above and below the body fabric being fed over the surface of the bed plate.

lThe folder 8 is attached to the front portion of the bed plate, by means of a shank 9, which is slotted at 10, 10, receiving screws 11, 11, which pass into the bed plate and hold the folder in its adjusted positions.

In front of the folder 8, I have located an edge guide 12, for the body strip, and said edge guide is adjustably secured to the bed plate by means of the screws 13, 13, passing through slots 14, 14:, in said edge guide.

My improved folder is formed preferably by two spaced members 15 and 16, which are symmetrically curved and are preferably joined at their outer edges, forming in reality one continuous piece. Said members 15 and 16 atV the receiving end of the folder are but slightly curved, so that the strip to vbe folded when received by the folder, is

v said arm 22 is provided with a slot 23. The

slots 21 and 28 in the arms 19 and 22 engage outer edges thereof are drawn across these tapered edges and uncurled. l

It will be noted that the guide fingers 25 and 25 attached to the extreme delivery end of the folder serve the purpose of guiding the folded edge, so as to properly position the said folded edge relative to the needles. Without these guiding lingers it'would not be possible to direct the folded edge of the fabric so that lines of stitching could be placed close to the edge of the collaret. By placing the edges ofv the folded collaret under tension, these edges are stretched, and the nished product curved, forming what is known as the circular neck. It will also lbe noted that by loosening the screws 1l, 11,

that the entire folder may be adjusted relative to the stitching mechanism, sothat the position `of the lines of stitching relative to the folded strip may be varied. It will also be noted that by loosening the screws 13, 13, the edge guide for the body fabric may be adjusted, and the position ofsaid body fabric, relative to the foldedV strip, changed. When the auxiliary folding member is adjusted toV make a smaller collaret, the edge guide is also adjusted, so as to properly locate the body fabric relative to the folder.

In the operation of my binding attachment or folder, the binding strip or collaret with its raw edges is passed into the folder at the receiving end thereof, and as saidl strip passes through the folder, it is folded centrally of its width, so that said strip is delivered in two relatively flat parallel horizontal layers. As said strip passes through the folder, the ralw edges of the strip are turned overupon the outer faces of the strip by the curved flanges or walls of the spaced U-shaped guiding members, so that vwhen the strip reaches the front end of the folder, the raw edges will be flat against the outer faces of the strip. As the strip leaves the folder, it is turned inside out or reversed,.

and simultaneously guided or fed in a'direction atl an angle (as for instance a right angle), to its initial direction of feed, so that the folded edges of the strip are brought in opposition to each other, and in position to be sewed upon the top and bottom of the work which is fed over the cloth plate, in the usual manner. The vfeeding mechanism of the machine draws the material, together with the facing or binding strip, under the presser foot in the well known manner. When it is desired to vary the capacity of the folder for different widths of binding strips, the auxiliary folding or guiding member 35 is adjusted longitudinally of` the binder, so as to bring the end thereof over which Vthe binding strip is inverted, closer to or farther from the extreme delivery tips of the binder, andby this adjustment, the capacity of the binder is varied' to accommodate the width of the binding strip. After the guiding member is adjusted longitudinally, it is also preferably adjusted laterally, so as to maintain the delivery end of the binder at an angle of forty-five degrees to the line of feed, as by this adjustment, theV binding strip may be more smoothly inverted and guided to the stitching mechanism.

It is obvious that various minor changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is l. A sewing machine, comprising in combination stitch-forming mechanism, feeding mechanism and a folder including in combination, a main folding member and an auxiliary folding member ccperating therewith, said auxiliary folding member being adjustable at its delivery end both laterally and longitudinally of said main folder, and means for holding the same in its adjusted positions, said folder being located substantially at right angles to the line of feed; substantially as described.

2. A sewing machine, comprising in combination stitch-forming mechanism, feeding mechanism and a folder including in combination, Va main folding member and an auxiliary folding member for engaging the binding strip at the fold therein and over which said binding strip is inverted, said auxiliary folding member being adjustable longitudinally of said main folder, and means for holding the same in its adjusted positions, said vfolder being located substantially at right angles `to the line of feed; substantially as described.

f 3. A folder including in combination, a main folding member and an auxiliary folding member cooperating therewith, means for yieldingly and adjustably supporting the delivering end of said auxiliary folder `and means for adjusting the same bodily longitudinally of the main folding member; substantially as described.

4. A sewing machine, comprising in combination stitch-forming mechanism, feeding mechanism and a folder including in combination, `a main folding member and an auxiliary folding member coperating therewith, means whereby said auxiliary folding member may be bodily adjusted relative to said main folder, and means whereby the delivery end of said auxiliary folder may be laterally adjusted relative to the main folder, said folder being located substantially at vright angles to the line of feed; substantially as described. i'

5. A sewing machine comprising feeding mechanism, and a folder including in combination, a main folding member having lio for folding the edge of Yastrip to 'be folded,Y andV an auxiliary member' located described.y

'within Y said main. folder and `engagingV and :folding said strip `betweel'i itskv edges, and

imeans for adjusting said auxiliarymember 'longitudinally`V of .said main folder, .said folder being located substantially at right anglesjtoftheline' of feed; substantially Aas i6.' Alsewing :machine comprising l feeding mechanism, and a folder including in com-v 'bination, a main folding member; having means for folding the edge of a strip to be' '.ffolded, yand-an auxiliary memberflocated 'tiallyfvy at right angles to the withinsaid main folder and engaging and Yfolding said strip betweenitsedges, means forf'adjusting said auxiliary member longiitudina'lly of said-'main folder, vand means 'for adjusting ,the delivery end-of saidauX- ili'ary member transversely of said main rfolderysaid folder being located substan- `line of feed; Y

' substanti ally as described.

' r7. Afolderincluding in combination, a

-main folding member having` means for folding'the edgejof a'Y stripv to be folded,and

aaauXiliary ineinber located withinsaid main folderand engaging and folding said `,strip between .its edges, a lscrew stud carried said auxiliary Y folding member fadj acent its I receiving fendf and projecting through a slotfinVv the main folder, a thumb nut for securingsaid "auxiliaryimember iny its adjustf ed positions, and means for adjusting kthe deL livering end of said auxiliary folder ftransversely, of fsaidglnain folder; `substantially V85AY `folder.including in combination, 'a main `'folding' member vhaving' lfmeans:y for' foldingthe edge of a strip tobe folded, and

f an auxiliary 'jmember located V,within-said main'folder and engaging andffoldingfsaid Y 1 stripjbetweenvits edges, a screw s tu'dfjcar-V t ried. by ,saidV auXiliaryfoldin'g member ad-k jacente-its receiving end andr projecting` Ythroughsa slot in the main folder, a thumb Y :nut for securing'Qsaicljauxiliary member in [itsadjustedfpositions, and a screw stud car# riedv `by said jauxiliary member` adjacent its' e -l deli-vering end, a thumb nut carried by said( Y last-named stud, and means coperating- Vwith said last named thumbnut for! adjusting said delivering end; substantially as described'. i

. 9.1 f-Alfolder l including in4 combinatiom-a Y mainv lfolding member having means, for Y foidingehe .edgepof a Strip e0 be folded; and

Aanv auxiliaryY member located f within `said'V 1 ',-imain folder'and engaging andfolding said :4r l Y j ried by said auxiliary folding member ald-iV strip .between its edges, a screw studlcarev jacent its receiving end .and projecting e through, ai 510e vin the main felder, a thumb nutfors'ecuring said Vauxiliary' member in its adjusted1pos1tions,and'a screw stud carried byv said auxiliaryA member adjacent its delivering end, a thumb nut carried by said last named stud, anda spring memberrigidly secured to the main foldery and coperating with said last namedthumb nut for yieldingly and f adjustably supporting the delivering end vof said auxiliary folding member; substantially as describe 10.v A folder including in combination, a

main folder, said folderhavingits delivery end formed atan angle of fortyrfivedegrees to the longitudinalaxis of the folder, where- V"by the strip may be inverted and led at right angles fromfthe delivery end thereof, means for engaging the binding strip atv the fold therein 'and' over which rsaid binding strip is main folder having means for folding the `edges of a strip, said. main folder being cut fawa-y to expose theV edges, and a tension member formed from awire bent to provide fingers for engaging the exposed" edges,

means for supporting said wire, and means .for placing said wire undertension; substantially asdescribed.- L l f 13. A folder including in combination, a `main folder,` having -meansfor folding the edges of a strip, said main folder being cut away to ,expose the edges, and a tension member formed from awre bent to provide fingers `for engaging the l exposed edges, means for supportlng sald wire, a yoke bearing on said wire,"and means engaging said yoke for placingv the fingers under tension; nI substantially as described'. e

14. The combination ofa folder for folding andinvertingfa binding strip, vsaid folder including amember for engaging the binding strip at the fold therein' and over which member said strip is inverted, means for adjusting said member for different widths of stripsan edge guide for the body or fabric independent ofthe folder, and means foradjusting the edgeguide so as to properlyrposition the y fabric'relative to the folded str'ip..` y

15.1The combination witha work support fand stitch-forming mechanism, of a folder Vhaving its longitudinaliaxis .at right angles yto the line of stitching,A means whereby said lfolderV mayV be adj usted` for different widths of strips, and an'edge guide fora body fabric, and ymeans whereby said edge guide may be' adjusted to properly position the body fabric relative to the folded strip; substantially as described.

16. A main folder having means for folding a fabric and for inverting the folded strip, guiding fingersfixed to said folder for guiding the edge of the folded strip after it is inverted, and an auxiliary folder located-within the main folder, and means for adjusting said auxiliary folder to ac,- commodate strips of different widths.

17. A folder for bindings composed of a body tapered from its middle to its opposite ends, and having at one end thereof edgefolding means, and at its other end edgeuncurling means, the latter comprising a tapered extension of said end of the body forming a rigidly set tongue, said tongue having its end rounded, whereby the edges of the material engage the edges of the extended tongue and are uncurled thereby.

1S. A folder for sewing machines composed of two blanks `shaped and combined so as to produce a body tapered in opposite directions, said body having at one end thereof edge-folding `means and at its other end edge-uncurling means, the latter means comprising a tapered rounded end of one of the blanks forming a rigidly-set tongue extension of said body `whereby the edges of the material engage the edges of the tongue and are uncurled thereby.

19. A folder for bindings composed of a body tapered from its middle to its opposite ends, said body having at one end thereof edge-folding means and at its other end edgeuncurling means, the latter means consisting of opposed loops, formed on one side of the body, in combination with a tapered extension of said end of the body forming a rigidly-set rounded tongue cooperating with said opposed loops, whereby the edges of the material are operated upon by the loops and the extended tongue and are uncurled thereby.

20. In a binding attachment for sewing machines, a binder head comprising a guiding element for guiding the binding in a direction transverse to the line of feed of the material being bound, the delivery end of said element being formed obliquely with respect to its length, whereby the binding may be inverted, a guiding member for engaging the material at the fold therein and over which said folded material is inverted, and means for adjusting the said member for varying the capacity of the folder for different widths of binding strips.

21. In a binding attachment for sewing machines, a binder head comprising spaced U-shaped guiding walls, for guiding the binding in a direction transverse to the line of feed of the material being bound, the delivery end of said walls being formed obliquely with respect to the length. of the folder, whereby the binding may be inverti ing strips.

22.*In a binding attachment for sewing machines, a binder head comprising spaced guiding walls for guiding the binding in a direction transverse to the line of feed of the material being bound, the delivery end of said binder being formed obliquely with respect to its length, whereby the binding may be inverted, a guiding member having a U-shaped cut-away portion at its delivery end, said guiding member being so disposed as to engage the material at the fold therein, whereby said folded material may be inverted over said guiding member, and means for adjusting said member for varying the capacity of the folder for different widths of bindingr strips.

23. In a binding Vattachment Vfor sewing machines, a binder head comprising a guid- `ing element for guiding the binding in a direction transverse to the line of feed of the material being bound, the delivery end of said guiding element being formed obliquely with respect to its length, whereby the binding may be inverted, guiding iingers fixed to the binder head for guiding the edges of the folded strip after it is inverted, a guiding member for engaging the material at the fold therein over which said folded material is inverted, and means for adjusting said member toward and from said guiding fingers for varying the capacity of the folder for different widths of binding strips.

24. In a folding device, spaced walls for guiding the material and having the delivery end of said spaced walls arranged at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the spaced walls, a guiding device cooperating with the inner wall and being shaped to conform to the curvature of the inner wall with ywhich it cooperates, said guiding device being located at the delivering end of the folding device, and means whereby said guiding device may be adjusted longitudinally of the folder for varying the capacity of the folder for different widths of strips.

25. The combination of a stitch forming mechanism, of a folder, means' for supporting said folder with its longitudinal axis substantially at right angles to the line of stitching, said folder comprising continuous guiding walls adapted to guide a binding strip, said guiding walls at the delivery end thereof beingshaped so that said strip may be inverted as it is led from the folder to the stitching mechanism, said guiding walls of the folder between the receiving and de- Y v widths of binding strips.

Y mechanism, of a folder,

Y ingsaid folder withuits longitudinal. aXis 15 'n Alivering-endsthereofhaving means for turn- 7 jingxthe edges'of the strip outwardly and backwardly upon the strip wherebyl when i lsaid strip `is inverted said' edges will Vbe brought between the inner side faces ofthe binding strip, a guiding member for en.

gaging the l'material'at the fold therein over which said folded material is inverted,fand means vfor adjusting said member for varyingthecapacity of the folder for different 26. The combination with stitch lforming means, for support-v substantially at right angles to the line of stitching, said folder comprising rsubstantially continuous guiding vwalls adapted to guide a bindingstrip, said guiding walls at the delivery end thereof being shaped so that said strip maybe inverted as it is led ,from the folder to the'v stitching mechanism,

saidy guiding walls of the folder between the receiving land delivering .ends thereof 7 LC 'o'pies of this patent may be obtained `for ve'cents each,- by addressing the Y tical position,

having means for turning the edges ofthe strip outwardly andbackwardly upon the strip, wherebywhen said stripY is inverted said edges will be brought between the inner side faces of the binding strip, said' folder between its receiving and delivering Yends including means for folding the bind- JAMES R. MoFFATT.

signature,

Witnesses:

CHESTER MCNEIL, A. B. CLOTHIER:

Commissioner` of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

